SC - Re: Forwarded Message - EK list - Pennsic

Mon Jul 26 10:15:08 PDT 1999

- -Poster: Elysant <snowfire at mail.snet.net>

Hello the list,

I'm forwarding two of Brandu's posts (with his permission) from the EK list.  Even though currently it doesn't look as though actual drought conditions are present at the Pennsic site (from other posts on the EK list), I feel that having information such as that which is listed below could conceivably prevent someone from having a miserable time at war, as well as possibly coming in handy if conditions should deteriorate. 

Elysant

- -------------Forwarded Message----------------

Date: Mon, 26 Jul 1999 09:49:37 -0400
From: Jeff Gedney <JGedney at dictaphone.com>
To: sca-east-digest at indra.com
Subject: Re: EK: Solar Shower?
Reply-To: sca-east at indra.com

- -Poster: Jeff Gedney <JGedney at dictaphone.com>

(snip)

For the sake of accuracy, the Center for Disease Control identified PW13's Episode of "Pennsic Plague" as a "Norwalk Virus" - - an intestinal Virus, (one of a family of similar viruses first identified in Norwalk, Ohio) and spread principally by ingesting food or water which is contaminated by infected stool, in much the same fashion as bacillary dysentery (caused by the bacterium Shigella Sonei), but not like Amoebic Dysentery (which is an ulcerative infection of the 
bowel, caused by a protozoan, Entamoeba histolytica), which is in intreated drinking water. 
Both Norwalk and Shigella are considered "food-borne" illness, in that their principle route of infection is through improperly cleaned food or utensils (or hands). Ameobic Dysentery can be caused by swimming, bathing, or drinking water which has the wild protozoan living in it in sufficient quantity.  
Shigella can also be spread by flies. Flies can become a principle vector for contamination of food in areas with sever outbreaks. 
I believe that flies do not spread Norwalk virus.

IIRC, The chirurgionate got a commendation form the CDC for keeping the highly contagious virus in a relatively small minority of the population in very primitive conditions. 

Brandu 
(Who remembers the year of the plague, and the concept of "two exits no waiting". Our camp had very little infection, that year, but mainly because we got real psychotic about cleanliness as soon as we found out about the disease.)

On Mon, 26 Jul 1999, Jeff Gedney <JGedney at dictaphone.com> wrote:

(Snip)

>Pennsic 13,  IIRC, was indeed a dry war. There may be a correlation. A lot of 
watertable concentration happens whe well dry up. also when the wells get low, a lot 
of the junk floating near the top of the well water, like most algaes, a lot of other 
microflora, and many farm and industrial chemicals, get sucked into the water supply, 
where ordinarily they would not be picked up.
>
>I agree that the drought is going to worsen the disease factor at war, this year, for 
a lot of reasons.
>
>1)  Wash Water Scarcity will compel the reuse of standing water for dish and ustensil 
and hand cleaning, probably beyond a wise degree.   - possible solution: bring a 
bottle or two of plain clorine bleach, and add a jusicious amount to all standing and 
cleaning water, especially to rinse water! Use disposable plates and cups as much as 
possible (I know it is not period looking, Neither is the inside of an emergency 
room!). ABOVE ALL DO NOT TRY TO REUSE LOOSE WATER MELTED IN COOLERS FOR ANY PURPOSE!
>
>2)  The water table will be low, concentrating the already high microflora and 
mineral counts in the water. - possible solution: bring twice the water filters you 
normall bring, they will get used up quickly. (bring filters if you dont already!)  
Boil all water for drinking at least 10 minutes, or stick to bottled. (don't depend on 
getting water on site, it will be very hard to find, since everyone else will be doing 
the same, including the natives)
>
>3) Dehydration and heat will weaken the immune systems of everybody there. An active 
bug will spread quickly. - Possible solution: Hydrate! hydrate! hydrate! Eat a variety 
of foods, not just meat and bread. Wash everything you propose to put in your mouth in 
CLEAN drinking water! Use hand sanitizers FREQUENTLY, even after leaving the shower 
(you cannot depend on the local well water to be free of contamination). Bleach every 
preparation surface after using. Dry everything thoroughly. But trust me on the 
sanitizers. (sorry this was sounding like that sunscreen thing!)
>
>4) Lack of rainfall will not rinse animal waste, midden runoff, fertilizer, and the 
occasional technicolor result of excessive alcohol consumption into the ground, 
allowing such to remain near the surface, so that the ubiquitous dust will be more 
iniquitous than usual. 
>- possible solution: leave no food preparation surfaces or tools uncovered longer 
than necessary. Wrap dry utensils and boards in clean cloths or plastic wrap when not 
in use.
>
>5) Pennsic is notable for causing normally intelligent people to abandon any pretense 
at common sense. Keep that in mind, and try not to lose yours. Couple that fact with 
items 1-4 above, and try to keep your perspective, even if you risk being a "party 
pooper".'
>
>Brandu 

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